Somerville back for Friday's Shield match at Jade

All Blacks prop Greg Somerville is the only change to the Canterbury team for their NPC first division rugby match and Ranfurly Shield defence against Wellington in Christchurch on Friday.

Somerville returns for his first NPC match since last month's round two victory over Bay of Plenty, having been rested since the All Blacks' Tri-Nations campaign.

His return sees Wyatt Crockett pushed to the reserves bench in the only change to the team who beat Waikato 23-15 to retain the Ranfurly Shield and move to the top of the NPC points table last Saturday.

All Blacks Richie McCaw, Aaron Mauger, Chris Jack and Daniel Carter -- still recovering from a fractured leg -- weren't considered to give them more time to recover from a tough international season.

Hooker Corey Flynn has been bracketed with Tone Kopelani as he tries to overcome a shoulder injury.

A decision on Flynn's availability will be made later in the week.

* SQUAD

Canterbury:
Ben Blair, Steven Yates, Casey Laulala, Caleb Ralph, Scott Hamilton, Cameron McIntyre, Andrew Ellis, Mose Tuiali'i, Johnny Leo'o, Reuben Thorne (captain), Kevin O'Neill, Craig Clarke, Campbell Johnstone, Corey Flynn/Tone Kopelani, Greg Somerville.

Reserves: Kopelani/Ti'i Paulo, Wyatt Crockett, George Naoupu, Hayden Hopgood, Jamie Nutbrown, Steven Brett, Vilimoni Delasau.

- NZPA